29 Nov 2008

Congo rebels capture border town

11:22 am on 29 November 2008

The UN says rebel forces have taken control of the town of Ishasha in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo .

Ishasha is a town on the Congo border with Uganda, about 120km from Goma. Neighbouring villages are reported to be deserted.

Despite a recent ceasefire, there have been more clashes this week.

Camps in Kibati near Goma now house about 65,000 people who have fled the fighting between rebels led by General Laurent Nkunda against government forces and their militia allies.

The Security Council has approved an increase in its peacekeeping force to just over 20,000 to try to end the conflict. The UN has accused all sides of mass killings and rape.